Madden Trial Begins this Week

MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WMOT) – The murder trial for Shanterrica Madden gets underway this week, 14 months after she was arrested in connection with the death of fellow MTSU student Tina Stewart.

WKRN-TV reports that jury selection for the trial will get underway Monday in Chattanooga. Judge Don Ash agreed to bring a jury in from Chattanooga to hear the case after Madden’s attorney complained that the local jury pool had been tainted by extensive press coverage of Stewart’s death.

Stewart was stabbed to death March 2, 2011, in her off-campus apartment. According to police, roommate Madden initially denied involvement, but later reportedly said that she’d stabbed Stewart in self-defense after the two argued, then fought.

The trial is set to begin Wednesday in Murfreesboro at the Rutherford County courthouse.